How to create beautiful newsletter forms in WordPress

Creating beautiful newsletter forms on your website is an art. And if this art comes handy for you using an easy WordPress plugin, its great. Opt-in Samurai is one of them. It has Free and Pro versions both which allows you to create beautifully looking newsletter forms on your website. On top of that, it also integrates with the most popular email services on internet like MailChimp, Aweber and almost 20 services out there.

Let’s have a quick look at how we can use Opt-in Samurai plugin and setup our newsletter forms along with MailChimp email service. So our the lead information submitted on our website is stored directly on MailChimp from your WordPress website.

Install WP Email Service WordPress Plugin

First we need the plugin. If you do not have the Pro Version, no worries, you can download and install the Free version from WordPress plugin’s directory here -> Opt-in Samurai Free

Installation is fairly easy and same as you would install any WordPress plugin. Simple install it from your WP Admin > Plugins > Add New. Or watch the video below for quick installation guide.

Connect MailChimp email service with Opt-in Samurai

In order to connect your MailChimp account with Opt-in Samurai, you will need API Key from your MailChimp account. Follow the steps below to find your API Key.

1. Login to your MailChimp account
2. If you do not have a MailChimp account, sign up for a free account here
3. Once you are logged in, make sure you have at least one Mailing List created in your MailChimp account
4. Navigate to your profile name on top right
5. From the drop down, click Account
6. On the account page, you will see some tabs, find and click Extras > API Keys
7. On this page, you will see your API key, if you do not see one, you click Create a Key button
8. Copy the API Key
9. Next head to Opt-in Samurai plugin in your WordPress WP-Admin area
10. WP-Admin > Opt-in Samurai > 3rd Party Integration
11. Click Activate button under MailChimp logo
12. On the same screen, it will ask for MailChimp API Key, paste the one you copied from your MailChimp account
13. Hit Save Changes button

I understand the above steps are quick ones to process. If you would like a detailed step by step tutorial with screen shots, there is a documentation guide available on Intense WP website.

Also there is a video tutorial available for Connecting your MailChimp account with Opt-in Samurai.

Test your MailChimp connection

So you want to test if your MailChimp connection is working successfully or no. Navigate to WP-Admin > Forms > Add New, under Opt-in Samurai meta box (below the editor). Click the Mailing List drop down. You should see your MailChimp mailing list here. If you see it, that means the connection was made successfully.

Create your very 1st newsletter form

Okay, like explained in the previous step, for testing MailChimp connection, do the same. Add New Form. There a few options you have to set up here in order to create your first newsletter form.

Instead of me writing all the steps, here is the detailed video for you to go through and create your first newsletter form with Opt-in Samurai

Opt-in Samurai Pro

The Pro Version comes with 19 most popular email services integrated and 100+ predesigned beautiful forms. There are 20 form designs included which are specially designed for sidebars. All the predesigned forms are responsive and works with all the mobile devices. More details at Intense WP website > Opt-in Samurai

You can safely buy Opt-in Samurai Pro directly from CodeCanyon.net website